The Premise
behind
The Last Best West
- The history of
'settled' Alberta is less than 130 years old, however there
is history back 15,000 years ago that's very interesting
- the
western/cowboy/ranching way of life was a driving force in
the shaping of our province and our culture …. and now
it’s feeling the pressures of technology, demographics and
emerging market
- There
are those still out there like Jim Reader who are
determined to preserve and uphold the western way of life
through the mediums used for millenniums by all peoples and
cultures of the world music, stories and poetry
- Jim
provides an memorable, multi-dimensional and
interactive learning experience that pays tribute to the
growth , significance, integrity, challenges and lifestyles
of ranching and cowboy ways of life…. presented as an
historical view of Alberta, before and after becoming a
province of Canada.
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The
Tools
Used by Jim
Music
1. original songs written by Jim that
explains history and ‘situations’ and facts
2. a few traditional cowboy/western songs
Cowboy
Poetry and Storytelling
Multi-Media,
Historical Photos, etc.
- projected via LCD projector and laptop
The Code of the West
- Jim has developed a wonderful presentation of the
principles of the Code of the West.. the
Cowboy Code, and how they might positively impact our
personal, family, and societal lives ... orgotten attributes
of: integrity, courtesy, manners, respect, honour and
honesty.
- over several years, Jim compiled over 400 traits,
characteristics and wisdom oriented gems that clearly
reflect the long-lost Code of the West ...
principles we would be wise to re-introduce to our young
people.
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The Last
Best West
Example Agenda/Format .... a 2 hour +/-
presentation
*
presentations can be During-School, or Evening to Include
Parents and/or the Community
*
from 1 to 2 hours, it's each
individual school's choice of time allotment
* sections
contain either songs, poems and/or stories to simultaneously
educate and entertain*
*
each section
is augmented with visual slides
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A chronological look at the
settlements, the people, and their activities in the vast
land that would
eventually become Alberta, with a focus on the Golden Age
of Ranching and the Cowboy ---1870 - 1907.
An
example of a
"shortened" show would include
cowboy/ranching only
(red)
1.
from the Ice Age and Woolly Mammoths
to “first peoples”
2.
the fur traders, their forts, and integration with the
Native Indians
3.
the hayday and doomsday of the buffalo
4.
acquiring Rupert’s Land from Hudson’s Bay Co, and “National Policy”
for its settlement
5.
the need for, and the formation of the NWMP
6.
the
bravery, respectability and credibility of the NWMP in early
years
7.
the Dominion Lands Act and the unbelievable
prices for leased and purchased land
8.
the
New Life & Lifestyles: for Indian
people, and for Ranchers and Settlers
9.
The Real Cowboy Modules: from the Open
Range to the building of fences
10. the
first cowboys, traditions, who they were, what they did
11. the
first cattle and first huge sprawling ranches:
hardships, losses and successes
12.
all about the big Cattle Drives:
how, why, who, where and when
13.
all about the big Roundups: how, why, who,
where and when
14.
the markets for cattle over the years
15.
the
formation of ‘groups” and “commuinities that helped people
with similar interests
16.
the “Last Best West” and “Land of Opportunity” ad
programs to entice people to the west
17.
the
influx of setters/homesteaders and the proportionate
downsizing of the large ranches
18.
differences
and struggles between ranchers and homesteaders
19.
the devasting winter of 1906/07 and it’s effect on cattle
herds and the future of ranching
20.
getting agricultural product to market:
transportation/collection systems for stock and grain
21.
the
end of the old cowboy ways, formation of Calgary Stampede
brought end to the era
22.
the
influence of technology:
integrating ‘old’ traditions into today’s western
lifestyle
23.
the
integrity, work and re-shaping of real cowboys
24.
having fun around the ranch
25.
the
future and maintenance of a long-standing and traditional
way of life
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Most Songs written by Jim Reader, SOCAN (Canada) & ASCAP
(U.S.A.) |
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In-Service Opportunities for
Creativity
1 Day long or 1 Week
long
In-Service Programs to stimulate the creativity of students from a
unique perspective utilizing Cowboy Poetry and Lyric Songwriting.
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Exploring
the History and Traditions of Alberta's Ranching and Cowboy Life